Real Madrid beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final. Bale and Ronaldo each scored twice, while Benzema had one. But what about that other goal from the substitute’s bench? Then we have to ask: Has Real Madrid won a game against Barca without Ronaldo? If not, how come? Read on to find out. Here is a rundown of the game.
Real Madrid beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final
It’s been almost two decades since the two Spanish sides met in a Champions League semi-final, but Barcelona was just too strong this time. Real had won five straight titles, while Barcelona had won four. Regardless of the outcome, both sides have made history this season. Here’s a look at Real Madrid’s most impressive moments in the past few years. In 1994, Real won by the same scoreline.
Real Madrid is the defending champion of the competition and has won the Champions League two times in a row. Two months ago, however, the Spanish side looked utterly defeated, just like the time they lost to Chelsea. In this match, it had the air of a team that has forgotten how to lose. In the Champions League, they win because they don’t lose. When they hear the anthem and look into the cup, they are infused with a fervent belief that they can win.
Real Madrid’s tactics have mixed results against Barcelona. The team has a well-known defensive strategy, with the goal of frustrating their opponents and running devastating counter-attacks. However, this approach is not working. While it might be perfectly effective if Madrid won every game, they haven’t been able to do so. The Italian referee, Daniele Orsato, has been in charge of Madrid’s semi-final exits for the last two seasons.
Despite Barcelona’s superiority on paper, Liverpool’s performance has earned them a place in the final. Liverpool are through to their second Champions League final in a row. Their team have already won the EFL Cup. FC Barcelona, on the other hand, haven’t recovered from a three-goal first-leg deficit in this competition since 1986. If Liverpool can do it, they’ll be in an enviable position.
Ronaldo scored twice
Despite the draw, Cristiano Ronaldo continued to impress for Real Madrid and scored two goals against Barca. After coming off the bench, Ronaldo now has 12 goals in seven games. And Benzema has his fourth league goal of the season. Real Madrid’s XI: Navas, Varane, Nacho, Theo, and Casemiro. Zidane rested Llorente and Benzema.
Barcelona had the better of possession in the opening match, but Madrid sat on the half-way line and pounced on broken moves. Their defence looked unprepared and lacking in silky passing. Xavi’s team deserved to win and their fans were chanting for their star forward. Ronaldo’s first goal was a beauty, but the second was a thumping header by Sergio Ramos.
With seven wins from seven games, Barcelona sit just a point behind Real Madrid in La Liga. However, the Spanish side is still in the hunt for a cup double. They’ve won the Copa del Rey and the Europa League already. Ronaldo set up opportunities for Karim Benzema, who finished from close range. Real Madrid’s stuttering start threatened to undermine their title defence.
Benzema and Bale have struggled so far this season, and some supporters have called for them to be replaced. However, Zidane has stuck by them, and Lucas Vazquez has played a crucial role in the Madrid attack. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Barca in his first game since April, and his second goal was a brilliant finish off a cross by Marcelo.
Despite the defeat, Ronaldo has scored 188 goals in 186 La Liga games. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi combining for six goals, Real are just two points behind Barcelona and four behind Atletico in La Liga. The Spanish champions play their next game against Girona later on Saturday. This would be a great achievement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has already surpassed his previous career-high goal tally with 188.
Bale scored twice
A stunning performance by Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid win a game against Barcelona despite missing Cristiano Ronaldo. The Welshman scored a brace and set up the second goal, which Cristiano converted to give Madrid a 2-1 victory. The game had started slowly, with Madrid being behind after Luis Suarez’s opening goal. Cristiano Ronaldo equalised in the 35th minute but Barca took the lead through Luis Suarez. Barcelona’s talisman Messi scored a stunning goal after the break, and then Ronaldo equalised for the hosts with a superb strike with just under 20 minutes remaining.
With the win, Real Madrid now have the chance to win the Champions League. Bale, who joined Real Madrid in 2013, has already won the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. He has also won the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2013, he was the only player to score in both the finals of the Spanish La Liga and the European Super Cup.
The win means that Real Madrid has equalled Barcelona’s record of 16 consecutive wins. They are now one point clear of Barcelona in the standings, but they will have to win their next game against Villarreal without their star player. A win would ensure the league title for the first time since 1960. The team’s next game is against Villarreal in midweek.
The absence of Ronaldo has been a concern for Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants have shown that they still have a good attacking line. Bale, Alvaro Morata, and Pepe scored two goals for Real Madrid. Bale’s goal came after Cristiano Ronaldo was injured. In addition to Bale’s double, Benzema also scored twice. Benzema’s goal was confirmed through VAR after being disallowed in the first half for offside.
Benzema was substituted
Karim Benzema will not feature in El Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday. The Frenchman has not yet recovered from a calf injury he sustained in Real Madrid’s win against Real Mallorca on Saturday. Despite the injury, Benzema made encouraging statements about his chances of playing against Barcelona in the derby. Here’s why.
Benzema was not the only player to suffer. The team rested its regular starters for the Champions League semi-final. He missed two penalties in the space of five minutes and Sergio Herrera made an exceptional save to keep Real Madrid in the game. Benzema scored his second goal in the 82nd minute after setting up Vinicius Junior. He then appeared to be injured and was substituted soon after.
The Spanish side was in a good position to counter the Barcelona attack. Madrid had a 1-0 lead in the first leg of their tie against Chelsea. However, the second leg was not as successful. Real Madrid were beaten 3-0 in the second leg but came back with a goal in extra time. This result took them to the semi-finals of the competition. Real Madrid will host Barcelona on Sunday.
The Spanish league title was finally won by Real Madrid on April 7 in the Bernabeu. The club had not won the title in the stadium for over 15 years. Benzema’s goal secured the 2020 league trophy for Madrid. However, the celebrations were a far cry from the first day of the season. Madrid had a Champions League semi-final against Manchester City, and the first leg had left the tie completely open.
Benzema scored twice
The first half saw Barcelona dominate possession, but Madrid’s defence stood firm and pounced on any broken moves to win the game. Barcelona’s lack of confidence in defence was reflected in the shaky play throughout the game, and Karim Benzema, without Ronaldo, set up Ronaldo’s second goal with a brilliant through ball. Cristiano Ronaldo beat Victor Valdes at his near post after a good touch from Benzema.
Benzema and Bale have both disappointed this season, and many Madrid fans have called for their replacements. But coach Zinedine Zidane has stuck by the duo, with Lucas Vazquez playing a crucial role in the victory. Benzema’s header in the 20th minute helped the hosts cancel out Andres Iniesta’s opener and he finished a cross from Angel Di Maria with a sublime finish to seal the win for Real Madrid.
Benzema’s first goal came from a free kick from Xabi Alonso. After that, Ronaldo scored a stunning free kick from the right side of the box. Ronaldo’s second goal was the first of two in the game, and it was a deserved second. Benzema’s third goal came in the 86th minute when Manolo handled a cross and Benzema scored from the spot.
Following the defeat of Ajax, Real Madrid went on to beat Lyon and Deportivo La Coruna, and they were crowned champions of Spain. This treble was their first since the end of the 2009-10 season, and they were unable to reach the Champions League final. While they did lose to Barcelona, they did not lose their momentum.
